Torque converter with turbine driven clutch connection

ABSTRACT

A torque converter includes a front cover arranged to receive a torque and an impeller having an impeller shell connected to the front cover. The torque converter further includes a turbine in fluid communication with the impeller and including a turbine shell. The torque converter further includes a lock-up clutch including a clutch plate that is non-rotatably connected to the turbine shell.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 63/240353, filed Sep. 2, 2021, the disclosure of whichis incorporated in its entirety by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a torque converter for a vehicle. Inparticular, the torque converter is provided with a turbine drivenclutch connection.

BACKGROUND

Many vehicles include a launch device between the engine and thetransmission. A torque converter is a type of launch device commonlyused in vehicles having an automatic transmission. A typical torqueconverter includes an impeller fixed to the crankshaft of the engine anda turbine fixed to a turbine shaft, which is the input to thetransmission. To improve fuel economy, most torque converters include abypass or lock-up clutch that mechanically couples the turbine shaft toa cover of the torque converter to bypass the fluid coupling. In sometorque converter arrangements, due to packaging constraints, the abilityto connect the lock-up clutch to the damper package may be limited bythe placement of the centrifugal pendulum absorber (CPA) in the damperpackage.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a torque converter includes a front cover configuredto receive a torque and an impeller having an impeller shellnon-rotatably connected to the front cover. The torque converter furtherincludes a turbine in fluid communication with the impeller andincluding a turbine shell. The torque converter further includes alock-up clutch including a clutch plate that is non-rotatably connectedto the turbine shell.

In embodiments, the clutch plate may be directly connected to theturbine shell. The clutch plate may include a tab and the turbine shellmay include a slot. The tab may be received in the slot. The slot mayextend axially through the turbine shell. The tab may extend through theslot to an end. The tab may include a recess extending through radialsides of the tab and extending axially from the end towards the slot.The turbine may include two blades circumferentially spaced from eachother. The slot may be disposed circumferentially between the twoblades. The torque converter may include a damper assembly axiallydisposed between the front cover and the turbine shell. The slot may bedisposed radially outside of the damper assembly.

In embodiments, the torque converter may include a ring fixed to theturbine shell. The clutch plate may be non-rotatably connected to theturbine shell via the ring. The ring may include a first end fixed tothe turbine shell and a second end spaced from the turbine shell. Theclutch plate may be connected to the second end of the ring. The secondend may be arranged radially offset relative to the first end. Theclutch plate may include a tab, and the second end may include a slot.The tab may be received in the slot. The slot may extend axially throughthe ring. The tab may extend through the slot to an end. The tab mayinclude a recess extending through radial sides of the tab and extendingaxially from the end towards the slot. The second end may be axiallyspaced from the turbine shell. The second end may be arranged radiallyoffset relative to the first end. The clutch plate may be axially spacedfrom the turbine shell. The torque converter may include a damperassembly axially disposed between the front cover and the turbine shell.The ring may be disposed radially outside of the damper assembly.

In embodiments, the torque converter may include a damper assemblyaxially disposed between the front cover and the turbine shell. The ringmay be disposed radially outside of the damper assembly. In embodiments,the lock-up clutch may include a reaction plate disposed axially betweenthe front cover and the turbine shell. In embodiments, the lock-upclutch may include a piston disposed axially between the front cover andthe clutch plate.

Instead of having a separate tabbed connection, embodiments describedherein provide a clutch connected to the turbine shell as part of thetorque path since the turbine shell is already connected to the damperassembly. This allows the turbine shell to be driven directly with theclutch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a torque converter having turbinedriven clutch connection according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2 is a top view of an area of the torque converter of FIG. 1showing the turbine driven clutch connection.

FIGS. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a torque converter having turbinedriven clutch connection according to another embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of an area of the torque converter shown inFIG. 3 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein. It is to beunderstood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are merely examplesand other embodiments can take various and alternative forms. Thefigures are not necessarily to scale; some features could be exaggeratedor minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore,specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not tobe interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis forteaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the embodiments. Asthose of ordinary skill in the art will understand, various featuresillustrated and described with reference to any one of the figures canbe combined with features illustrated in one or more other figures toproduce embodiments that are not explicitly illustrated or described.The combinations of features illustrated provide representativeembodiments for typical applications. Various combinations andmodifications of the features consistent with the teachings of thisdisclosure, however, could be desired for particular applications orimplementations.

Referring to FIGS. 1-2 , a portion of torque converter 100 isillustrated according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Atleast some portions of torque converter 100 are rotatable about centralaxis 102. While only a portion of torque converter 100 above centralaxis 102 is shown in FIG. 1 , it should be understood that torqueconverter 100 can appear substantially similar below central axis 102with many components extending about central axis 102. Words such as“axial,” “radial,” “circumferential,” “outward,” etc. as used herein areintended to be with respect to central axis 102.

Torque converter 100 includes: front cover 104 arranged to receivetorque; impeller 106; turbine 108 in fluid communication with impeller106 and having turbine shell 110; and lock-up clutch 112 having clutchplate 114 non-rotatably connected to the turbine shell 110. Impeller 106includes: impeller shell 116 non-rotatably connected to front cover 104such that impeller 106 rotates as front cover 104 rotates, at least oneimpeller blade 118 attached to an inner surface of the impeller shell116, and impeller hub 120 attached to a radially inner end of impellershell 116. Turbine 108 includes at least one turbine blade 122 attachedto the turbine shell 110. Turbine shell 110 may be non-rotatablyconnected to transmission input shaft 124.

Torque converter 100 may include: stator 126 disposed axially betweenimpeller 106 and turbine 108 to redirect fluid flowing from turbineblade 122 before the fluid reaches impeller 106 to increase anefficiency of torque converter 100. For example, impeller blade 118,when rotated about central axis 102, pushes the fluid outwardly. Thefluid pushes against turbine 108 of torque converter 100, causingturbine 108 to revolve about central axis 102. Stator 126 functions toreturn the fluid from turbine 108 back to impeller 106 with minimal orno power loss. Drive power is transmitted from turbine 108 totransmission input shaft 124. Torque converter 100 may, for example,further include: one-way clutch 128 disposed within stator 126, thrustbearing 130 disposed axially between stator 126 and impeller shell 116,and side plate 132 configured to retain the one-way clutch 128 withinthe stator 126.

Torque converter 100 also includes damper assembly 134 for hydraulicallytransferring torque through torque converter 100. Damper assembly 134 ispositioned axially between front cover 104 and turbine 108 and isconfigured to transfer torque from front cover 104 to transmission inputshaft 124. Damper assembly 134 includes: springs 136; cover plates 138,140; and output flange 142. Cover plate 138 may support springs 136 onone axial side. Cover plate 140 may support springs 136 on another,opposite axial side. Cover plates 138, 140 may be connected to eachother and output flange 142, for example, via a rivet, radially outwardof springs 136. Cover plate 140 may further be connected to turbineshell 110, for example, by a rivet. Torque converter 100 may includecentrifugal pendulum absorber 144 connected to output flange 142.

Output flange 142 is connected to transmission input shaft 124 fortorque transmission therebetween. Output flange 142 includes a hole (notumbered) extending axially through output flange 142. The hole isconfigured to permit a tool, e.g., a rivet tool, to connect cover plate140 to turbine shell 110.

Torque converter 100 may include seal plate 146 and thrust washer 148disposed between seal plate 146 and output flange 142. Thrust washer 148may be retained by seal plate 146. Seal plate 146 is non-rotatablyconnected to front cover 104, e.g., via welds, and sealed totransmission input shaft 124 at an inner diameter thereof.

Power from a vehicle engine (not shown) can be transmitted to atransmission via fluid, and via the torque converter. In particular, thepower may first be transmitted to front cover 104 of torque converter100. Lock-up clutch 112 configured to selectively transfer torque fromfront cover 104 to transmission input shaft 124. Lock-up clutch 112further includes piston 150 and reaction plate 152.

Piston 150 may be connected to front cover 104 via a leaf-springconnection and sealed to front cover 104 at an outer diameter thereof.Reaction plate 152 may be fixed to front cover 104 via a weld forexample. Clutch plate 114 may be disposed between piston 150 andreaction plate 152. Clutch plate 114 may further be connected to turbineshell 110 at one end, for example, via a tabbed connection. Clutch plate114 may be directly connected to turbine shell 110 such that turbineshell 110 is driven by the lock-up clutch 112. Clutch plate 114 mayinclude tabs 154. Turbine shell 110 may include punched slots 156circumferentially spaced from turbine blade 122. For example, the slots156 may be arranged circumferentially between two turbine blades 122.The tabs 154 engage with punched slots 156 such that turbine shell 110rotates when clutch plate 114 rotates. Additionally, tabs 154 may have aconcave recess 166 at an end 168 to reduce the amount of flowobstruction in a torus of torque converter 100.

Piston 150 engages or closes lock-up clutch 112 in response to thepressurization of a medium (e.g., fluid such as oil) in piston applychamber 158 defined between front cover 104 and piston 150. During axialmovement of piston 150, piston 150 slides along seal plate 146. Piston150 is sealed at an outer diameter to front cover 104 via seal 160 andsealed at an inner diameter to cover centering or seal plate 146 viaseal 162. Seals 160, 162 maintain a fluid separation between pistonapply chamber 158 and the rest of torque converter 100. Piston applychamber 158 is further defined by, or bounded between, front cover 104,seal 160, piston 150, seal 162, and seal plate 146. By “bounded inpart,” we mean that a portion of the cited chamber, flow path, or otherstructure is bounded, or formed, by the cited element.

According to embodiments disclosed herein, a torque path goes frompiston 150 and reaction plate 152 to clutch plate 114. However, insteadof having a tabbed connection to the damper assembly 134, directly, tabs154 on clutch plate 114 interact directly with turbine shell 110. Inthis embodiment, tabs 154 are configured to engage with the punchedslots 156 in the turbine shell 110 in between the turbine blades 122that allow torque to be transmitted directly through the interface. Theturbine shell 110 directly drives cover plate 140 on damper assembly134.

Referring to FIGS. 3-4 , an alternative embodiment for a turbine drivenclutch connection is provided. In contrast to FIGS. 1-2 , torqueconverter 100 includes ring 164. Ring 164 is fixed to turbine shell 10,for example, via welding. In this embodiment, clutch plate 114 isconnected to turbine shell 110 via ring 164. Clutch plate 114 includestabs 154 that interface with ring 164 instead of having the tabs 154slot into the turbine shell 110 as shown in FIGS. 1-2 . That is, ring164 may include punched slots 156 configured to engage tabs 154 ofclutch plate 114. The torque path is the same after ring 164 wheretorque is transmitted through the turbine shell 110 and into cover plate140.

Engaging clutch plate 114 with turbine shell 110 allows for directlydriving cover plate 140 on damper assembly 134 via turbine shell 110,which reduces axial clearance between piston 150 and turbine shell 110by removing a direct connection between clutch plate 114 and damperassembly 134 while achieving desired operation of torque converter 100.

While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended thatthese embodiments describe all possible forms encompassed by the claims.The words used in the specification are words of description rather thanlimitation, and it is understood that various changes can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Aspreviously described, the features of various embodiments can becombined to form further embodiments of the invention that may not beexplicitly described or illustrated. While various embodiments couldhave been described as providing advantages or being preferred overother embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one ormore desired characteristics, those of ordinary skill in the artrecognize that one or more features or characteristics can becompromised to achieve desired overall system attributes, which dependon the specific application and implementation. These attributes caninclude, but are not limited to cost, strength, durability, life cyclecost, marketability, appearance, packaging, size, serviceability,weight, manufacturability, ease of assembly, etc. As such, to the extentany embodiments are described as less desirable than other embodimentsor prior art implementations with respect to one or morecharacteristics, these embodiments are not outside the scope of thedisclosure and can be desirable for particular applications.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

100 Torque converter

102 Central axis

104 Front cover

106 Impeller

108 Turbine

10 Turbine shell

12 Lock-up clutch

114 Clutch plate

116 Impeller shell

118 Impeller blade

120 Impeller hub

122 Turbine blade

124 Transmission input shaft

126 Stator

128 One-way clutch

130 Thrust bearing

132 Side plate

134 Damper assembly

136 Springs

138 Cover plate

140 Cover plate

142 Output flange

144 Centrifugal pendulum absorber

146 Seal plate

148 Thrust washer

150 Piston

152 Reaction plate

154 Tab

156 Slot

158 Piston apply chamber

160 Seal

162 Seal

164 Ring

166 Recess

168 End

What is claimed is:
 1. A torque converter comprising: a front coverconfigured to receive a torque; an impeller having an impeller shellnon-rotatably connected to the front cover; a turbine in fluidcommunication with the impeller and including a turbine shell; and alock-up clutch including a clutch plate non-rotatably connected to theturbine shell.
 2. The torque converter of claim 1, wherein the clutchplate is directly connected to the turbine shell.
 3. The torqueconverter of claim 2, wherein the clutch plate includes a tab and theturbine shell includes a slot, the tab being received in the slot. 4.The torque converter of claim 3, wherein the slot extends axiallythrough the turbine shell.
 5. The torque converter of claim 3, whereinthe tab extends through the slot to an end, the tab including a recessextending through radial sides of the tab and extending axially from theend towards the slot.
 6. The torque converter of claim 3, wherein theturbine includes two blades circumferentially spaced from each other,the slot being disposed circumferentially between the two blades.
 7. Thetorque converter of claim 3, further comprising a damper assemblyaxially disposed between the front cover and the turbine shell, the slotbeing disposed radially outside of the damper assembly.
 8. The torqueconverter of claim 1, further comprising a ring fixed to the turbineshell, the clutch plate being non-rotatably connected to the turbineshell via the ring.
 9. The torque converter of claim 8, wherein the ringincludes a first end fixed to the turbine shell and a second end spacedfrom the turbine shell, the clutch plate being connected to the secondend of the ring.
 10. The torque converter of claim 9, wherein the secondend is arranged radially offset relative to the first end.
 11. Thetorque converter of claim 9, wherein the clutch plate includes a tab,and the second end includes a slot, the tab being received in the slot.12. The torque converter of claim 11, wherein the slot extends axiallythrough the ring.
 13. The torque converter of claim 11, wherein the tabextends through the slot to an end, the tab including a recess extendingthrough radial sides of the tab and extending axially from the endtowards the slot.
 14. The torque converter of claim 9, wherein thesecond end is axially spaced from the turbine shell.
 15. The torqueconverter of claim 14, wherein the second end is arranged radiallyoffset relative to the first end.
 16. The torque converter of claim 8,wherein the clutch plate is axially spaced from the turbine shell. 17.The torque converter of claim 8, further comprising a damper assemblyaxially disposed between the front cover and the turbine shell, the ringbeing disposed radially outside of the damper assembly.
 18. The torqueconverter of claim 1, further comprising a damper assembly axiallydisposed between the front cover and the turbine shell, the clutch platebeing disposed radially outside of the damper assembly.
 19. The torqueconverter of claim 1, wherein the lock-up clutch includes a reactionplate disposed axially between the front cover and the turbine shell.20. The torque converter of claim 1, wherein the lock-up clutch includesa piston disposed axially between the front cover and the clutch plate.